Florida Poker Player Devon Shalmi Busted in Illegal Bookmaking Probe

A Florida poker player with more than $225,000 in recorded tournament cashes has been accused of running an illegal sports betting operation that handled millions of dollars.

Devon Shalmi, 42, of Boca Raton, was arrested September 8 following a 13-month undercover investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

The poker player faces charges including bookmaking, conspiracy to commit bookmaking, money laundering, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, and operating a gambling house. His bond was set at $3 million.

Investigators allege Shalmi operated Allgames365.com, an unlicensed online sportsbook through which customers could place sports bets on credit.

The Hendon Mob lists a “Devin Shalmi” of Boca Raton with $225,579 in recorded live tournament earnings and 39 cashes dating back to 2009. Casino.org confirmed through matching tournament records that “Devin” and Devon Shalmi are the same player.

His biggest recorded cash was $42,000, while his tournament results include cashes at the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour. Most recently, he finished 19th in a $2,200 no-limit hold’em event at the Wynn Summer Classic in Las Vegas in July, earning $13,694.

He is also an accomplished pickleball player, having competed in the Boca Raton Masters Pickleball Championships.

Informant Tip

The investigation into Shalmi began after authorities received information about the alleged operation from a confidential informant in 2025. Detectives subsequently conducted more than 30 undercover operations, according to reports citing the arrest affidavit.

Undercover investigators were allegedly given accounts on Allgames365 with credit limits ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. Authorities claim Shalmi acted as the website’s administrator and operator.

Investigators said winnings and gambling debts were settled through payment platforms including Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.

Authorities also traced transactions to ILSJSF Solutions, a Boca Raton company that allegedly received more than $3 million in payments during the period covered by the investigation.

Detectives also met Shalmi in person to exchange cash at the Diadem Pickleball Complex, formerly the Dixon Pickleball Club, in Deerfield Beach.

Previous Gambling Case

It is not Shalmi’s first brush with the law over alleged illegal gambling.

In February 2015, he and seven others were charged in connection with an illegal sports betting operation authorities said ran between 2013 and 2015. Shalmi ultimately pleaded to a money laundering charge and received five years’ probation.

Shalmi’s first court hearing in the new case is scheduled for October 10.